Regional tick guide

Ticks in Oceania

Explore reviewed tick occurrence records for Oceania, with links to identification profiles, evidence and practical guidance.

Also known as: Oceania, Australasia, Australia, New Zealand

View ticks found in this location Explore the Global Tick Hub

Reviewed sources

Explore Oceania

Choose a state or region in Oceania

Australia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Micronesia Nauru New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu
3

linked tick species

Continent

geographic level

OCEANIA

location code

3 reviewed species records are currently linked to Oceania.

Introduced, occasional and other records

Adult female Haemaphysalis longicornis Asian longhorned tick climbing a blade of grass

Asian longhorned tick

Also known as: Bush tick, Cattle tick, Scrub tick

Haemaphysalis longicornis

Present Haemaphysalis hard_tick Oceania

New Zealand MPI identifies Haemaphysalis longicornis as the established New Zealand cattle tick.

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An invasive hard tick established in parts of the eastern United States and a major livestock concern. U.S. populations reproduce parthenogenetically.

Also known as: Bush tick, Cattle tick, Scrub tick

Identification:

Unfed stages are small and reddish-tan to dark reddish-brown. Adult females can become grey-green after feeding. Definitive identification requires expert examination.

Hosts: Humans, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Horses

Habitats: Pasture, Grassland and shrubland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Ixodes holocyclus Australian paralysis tick specimen photographed against lined paper

Australian paralysis tick

Ixodes holocyclus

Present Ixodes hard_tick Oceania

Australian Government health guidance identifies Ixodes holocyclus as the Australian paralysis tick and documents its distribution.

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An eastern Australian tick capable of causing paralysis. Current Australian clinical guidance should be followed after suspected exposure.

Identification:

A hard tick in the genus Ixodes. Species confirmation requires examination of diagnostic morphology; photographs, host and location alone may be insufficient.

Hosts: Humans, Dogs

Habitats: Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Australian cattle tick (Rhipicephalus australis), adult female and male, dorsal view

Australian cattle tick

Rhipicephalus australis

Present Rhipicephalus hard_tick Oceania

Queensland Government biosecurity guidance identifies Rhipicephalus australis as the Australian cattle tick.

Quick view

A one-host cattle tick established in tropical and subtropical parts of Australia and an important livestock parasite.

Identification:

Species-level confirmation should use authoritative morphological keys and, where necessary, expert or molecular examination. Photographs, host and location alone may be insufficient.

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Practical tick guidance

Related guidance

Use these VuxLore® resources alongside the location records and species profiles above.

Identify ticksSpecies, life stages and identification guidance Prevent and checkReduce exposure and perform thorough tick checks Remove ticksRemoval methods, tools and common problems Bites, symptoms and healthSourced guidance about bites, symptoms and disease

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